Saturday, March 27, 2010

Senate Democrats prevent Constitutional Amendment, but Republicans prevail in eliminating State Ad Valorem Tax

Yesterday, a majority of the Georgia Senate Democrats voted against allowing the people to vote on having a say in their property taxes by voting against Senate Resolution 1287. However, Republicans recovered for the people of Georgia by prevailing with Senate Bill 517, which will remove the quarter mil state ad valorem tax.

Georgia property owners continue to contact their legislators asking about tax relief, in particular property owners. In response, State Sen. Bill Heath (R-Bremen) proposed to eliminate Georgia’s state ad valorem tax. Because SR 1287 was a Constitutional Amendment, it required two-thirds vote in the Senate and the House before going to the voters for approval on the November 2010 ballot.

“Senate Republicans stood up for Georgians today when Senate Democrats chose not to allow them a voice in how they are taxed. This bill eliminates the state’s portion of a tax on the American Dream, which is home ownership,” said Heath. “Homeowners need as much financial relief as possible and should not be over taxed. Today’s vote only demonstrates who stand with Georgia property owners and who stands with the government.”

The State of Georgia currently levies an ad valorem tax on all property, and is a component of local property tax bills. The state millage rate is a quarter mil (.25/$1,000 assessed value). Counties argue that the state requires them to do property assessments and to collect ad valorem tax. Heath’s bill is a major step in allowing local governments to have more control over property taxation. Removing the state ad valorem tax will have no effect on counties, cities and school funding. The prohibition of the tax begins once state reserve funds reach $500 million.

Sen. Bill Heath serves as Chairman of the Retirement Committee and Governor Sonny Perdue’s Floor Leader in the Senate. He represents the 31st Senate District which consists of Haralson and Polk counties and portions of Bartow and Paulding counties. He may be reached at 404.651.7738 or by email at billheath@billheath.net.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Census threat: $5,000 fines

U.S. congressman slams 'Big Brother' questions

How many people live in your home? Are any of them Hispanic? Are the people who live in your home citizens? How big is your home? Do you have difficulty making decisions or climbing stairs? How much do you pay for your sewage system? Are you married? What's your rent or mortgage payment? Do you own an automobile? Are you on food stamps? How much money do you make?

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=128409

Libertarians oppose census questions

Libertarian Party (LP) Chairman William Redpath released the following statement today regarding the 2010 census:

"The Libertarian Party believes that the federal government's current census procedures are unconstitutional, unnecessary, and too expensive. We believe that the census is constitutionally limited to collecting only one piece of information about each residence: the number of persons living in it. We urge Congress to change the census laws to comply with this constitutional limitation.

"The U.S. Constitution empowers Congress to provide for a census in order to apportion Representatives correctly. The Constitution does not empower Congress to use a census for any other purpose. There is no need for Congress to collect additional information such as names, races, ages, sexes, or home ownership status. Unfortunately, the federal government wants to use the additional information to fine tune its control over the lives and money of the American people.

"The 2010 census is expected to cost over $14 billion. A recent report from the Inspector General of the Department of Commerce indicates that preparations for the 2010 census have already been filled with waste and bloat. A proper census, limited to just a headcount, would be far less expensive.

"Many Americans fear that the Census Bureau will not keep their information secret, and might turn personal details over to other government agencies. The Census Bureau promises that they will keep everything confidential, but they have broken that promise in the past. As David Kopel of the libertarian Cato Institute has pointed out, during World War I the Census Bureau handed over lists of names and addresses so the federal government could search for draft resisters. And, shockingly, during World War II, the Census Bureau told the Justice Department which neighborhoods had high concentrations of Japanese-Americans. The federal government then used that information to find Japanese-Americans and imprison them in concentration camps.

"As Congressman Ron Paul, 1988 Libertarian candidate for President, recently said, 'If the federal government really wants to increase compliance with the census, it should abide by the Constitution and limit its inquiry to one simple question: How many people live here?'"

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Monday, March 15, 2010

Bill That Would Effectively Prohibit African Americans and Hispanics From Buying Guns Advances in the Illinois General Assembly

/PRNewswire/ -- The following was released today by the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA):

Law-abiding African Americans and Hispanics would take it on the chin under a bill now moving through the Illinois General Assembly. Sponsored by Rep. Harry Osterman (D-14), HB6123 would prohibit any person or entity from selling a firearm to a so-called "street gang member." This prohibition applies even if the individual has passed a Brady Law FBI background check. Making a prohibited sale would result in Class 1 felony charges and possible jail time for the seller. Although the ISRA supports genuine efforts to curb criminal violence, the organization is strongly opposed to HB6123 as the bill's provisions are arbitrary and pose an unreasonable intrusion on the rights of law-abiding Illinois citizens.

"HB6123 promotes racial profiling at its worst," commented ISRA Executive Director, Richard Pearson. "Popular culture has branded urban minorities with the 'gangsta' stereotype that is pervasive well beyond the confines of actual criminal enterprises. Today's fashion, music, slang and lifestyle are all heavily influenced by the urban experience. Given that the provisions of HB6123 establish no test for determining 'street gang' membership, and given the harsh penalties for violating the proposed law, it is understandable that retailers would shy away from selling firearms to persons whose speech, dress, mannerisms, or taste in music reflect the urban lifestyle."

"Several Chicago nightclubs stirred considerable controversy recently when they denied entry to young men wearing baggy pants and cornrows in their hair," continued Pearson. "The nightclub owners justified these actions by claiming that baggy pants and certain hair styles are indicative of gang membership - despite the fact that the young men had done nothing improper. While the popular press bristled over the nightclubs' actions, the press has ignored HB6123 although the bill would bless, and even require firearm retailers to discriminate against individuals based on their appearance. This sort of cultural profiling is vile enough when persons are denied entry into a private club, but denying one's constitutional rights based solely on their appearance flies in the face of the principles under which our nation was founded. Of course, if a gang member wished to purchase a firearm, all he would have to do is don a Brooks Brothers' suit and speak the King's English and he'd be good to go."

"The bottom line is this," said Pearson. "If HB6123 is passed into law, the calendar on race-relations will be turned back 70 years and there will not be a gun shop in the state that will sell a firearm to an African American or Hispanic person. If that's Rep. Osterman's intent, then he has a lot of explaining to do."

The ISRA is the state's leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. For more than a century, the ISRA has represented the interests of millions of law-abiding Illinois firearm owners.

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Friday, March 12, 2010

Obama's Polls... slip sliding away...

Daily Presidential Tracking Poll
The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Friday shows that 26% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty-two percent (42%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -16.

Missouri Senate: Blunt 47%, Carnahan 41%
Republican Roy Blunt continues to hold a slight lead over Democrat Robin Carnahan in Missouri's contest for the U.S. Senate. These findings and the high level of opposition to the national health care plan in the state perhaps help to explain why Carnahan wasn't around yesterday when President Obama came to Missouri to pitch his plan.

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Will Patient Privacy Be Sold for Stimulus Money?

/PRNewswire/ -- The key to enforcing healthcare reform was already passed in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), also known as the Stimulus Bill. This contains $17 billion to encourage physicians and hospitals to adopt electronic health records.

Doctors might not take the bribe. An informal online survey by the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) so far shows that 90 percent of more than 1,100 respondents answer "No" to the question "Should doctors take the 'Stimulus' money to computerize their offices?" See www.aapsonline.org.

To get the subsidy of up to $65,000 over 5 years, doctors have to use a government-approved system. Such a system must be "interoperable" -- which means able to share patients' private information with more than 600,000 different entities.

No patient consent is needed.

Doctors are warned: "If you take the stimulus money to computerize your office, the government will own your patients' medical records -- and possibly your practice," states Jane M. Orient, M.D., executive director of AAPS.

The system will have to be capable of generating lists of patients by specific conditions, to use for "quality improvement," reduction of disparities, research, and outreach. It will have to contain decision rules as for ordering diagnostic tests, and a way to track compliance with the rules. Doctors' pay will be tied to achieving the government's desired outcomes.

The government's purposes include cutting spending and meeting population health goals. The doctor's calling, in contrast, has traditionally been to serve each individual patient.

Changing from a sickness to a wellness orientation means that healthy young workers (taxpayers and voters) have a priority higher than older, sicker folks.

Under the Senate healthcare reform bill, a computer will determine, at the point of service, whether or not an individual is eligible to receive a specific service at a specific facility. The interoperable health record would contain information such as ethnicity, race, preferred language, smoking status, weight, body mass index, age, and compliance with past treatment, related to patient worthiness and societal goals.

"Interoperability" is what the $17 billion buys for the government. It's essential for central government monitoring and control of doctors -- and their patients.

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Thursday, March 11, 2010

FRC Calls for Investigation of Massa Scandal

WHEN DID SPEAKER PELOSI KNOW ABOUT MASSA'S CONDUCT?

Following today's 420-1 vote in the House of Representatives to refer to the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct (commonly called the Ethics Committee) a resolution calling for an investigation into how Democratic leaders handled the sexual harassment allegations against Congressman Eric Massa (D-NY), Family Research Council (FRC) President Tony Perkins released the following statement:

"Back in 2006, the sexual overtures of then-Rep. Mark Foley (R-FL) toward House pages arguably cost his party its majority status and its Speaker, Dennis Hastert, his leadership role. One of the loudest voices in that fray was then-Rep. Nancy Pelosi, who used the incident to take plenty of political scalps.

"Now that the scandal is on the other foot, and Democrat Eric Massa has resigned under accusations that he sexually harassed male staffers, Speaker Pelosi's office is surprisingly mum. Gone is the righteous indignation she expressed in 2006 for 'the children, their parents, the public' over Mark Foley's 'abhorrent behavior' - behavior Eric Massa might have taken even farther than Foley.

"Today, new reports are swarming that Speaker Pelosi was warned about Rep. Massa's conduct by her own Party back in October. She did nothing until Rep. Massa promised to vote no on the President's health care plan. Suddenly, she and other leaders sprang into action a full six months after learning reports about Massa's relationships. Coincidence?

"In a letter to the House Ethics Committee in October 2006, then-Rep. Pelosi demanded that since 'Republican Leaders admitted to knowing about [Foley's indiscretions]... for six months to a year and failed to protect the children in their trust... Republican Leaders must be investigated by the Ethics Committee and immediately questioned under oath.' Fast forward four years to this week, when Democrats tried to close the case after Massa stepped down. They hoped to sweep a messy ethics probe under the rug, but this afternoon, the House voted to keep the inquiry alive. Given Speaker Pelosi's 2006 insistence that this behavior 'never happen again,' Republicans are right: The investigation of Dennis Hastert's successor must go on."
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Monday, March 8, 2010

Isakson Co-Sponsors Legislation to Block Automatic Salary Increase for Members of Congress

I Can’t Think of Anyone Less Deserving of a Pay Raise in This Economy’

U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today announced that he is co-sponsoring legislation that would block the automatic cost of living increase for members of Congress in fiscal year 2011.

“Our economy is still recovering from one of the worst recessions in our nation’s history,” Isakson said. “American families aren’t spending far and away above their means, but Congress continues to spend money at an alarming and unsustainable rate. I can’t think of anyone less deserving of a pay raise in this economy.”

Isakson joined a majority of his colleagues in voting to block the annual increase for fiscal year 2010. Isakson also has voted for a bill to repeal automatic pay raises altogether, which passed the Senate in 2009. That bill is pending in the House of Representatives. Additionally, Isakson donates the automatic pay increase he received for fiscal year 2009 by writing a check each month to the Atlanta Community Food Bank equal to the amount of the pay raise.

Isakson has a long history of being a good steward of the taxpayers’ money. For example, since he was elected to Congress in 1999, Isakson has returned over $2.2 million of his annual Congressional office budget allotment to the Treasury. Additionally, for fiscal year 2009, Isakson will return an estimated $460,000 of his Senate office budget allotment once final expenses have been completed.
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Friday, March 5, 2010

FRC Calls on U.S. Senate to Reject Legislation Containing Federal Education Mandates

/PRNewswire/ -- On Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4247, the Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act. The bill's purpose is to ensure that teachers do not use physical, mechanical or chemical means of restraint against students. The bill significantly increases federal oversight of schools that receive federal funding, including many Catholic parochial schools and independent private schools, and it has been strongly opposed by the Council for American Private Education and the American Association of Christian Schools.

Family Research Council President Tony Perkins released the following statement about H.R. 4247:

"This bill is another example of misguided federal legislation. It increases federal paperwork and oversight to the point that there could be substantial interference with faith-based education.

"Teachers generally care for their students. Should they be punished because a few teachers overstep already accepted guidelines for how teachers and students can interact? A federal mandate is unnecessary.

"Further, if Congress is so concerned with the well-being of students, why did it shut down the Washington, D.C. school choice program, which gave underprivileged students the ability to attend successful private schools instead of failing union-run public schools in the District?

"If Congress is concerned about student safety, it should begin by removing 'Safe Schools Czar' Kevin Jennings from office, not adding to his federal oversight of education. Kevin Jennings, as the founder of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), played an integral role in promoting homosexuality in public schools. His history demonstrates disregard for our obligations to safeguard the health and well-being of the student population. He is unfit for the post to which he's been assigned, and he should be removed at once."

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Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Obama Proposes Health Care Bill Fully Funding Abortion

Today the White House unveiled new health care legislation that leaves the Senate abortion funding intact. When confronted with this fact by Minority Leader John Boehner, President Obama dismissed fact as mere talking points and "untrue." Speaker Pelosi continued this falsehood when she insisted that the health bills do not fund abortion. Family Research Council President Tony Perkins had this to say about the President's new proposal and the claims on abortion funding:

"This new White House health care statement completely undermines President Obama's claim last week dismissing charges that the Senate bill would fund abortion as mere 'talking points.' President Obama's legislation not only maintains the Senate abortion funding provisions; it would make them worse by increasing federal funding for community health centers that could be used directly to kill unborn babies.

"Ignoring the only bi-partisan provision that passed, the Stupak amendment that prevents abortion funding, the President's bill to amend the Senate bill leaves several abortion provisions in place. In Section 1303 it allows tax credit subsidies for plans that include abortion and leaves the abortion surcharge in place. It maintains the proposal to create a multi-state plan that includes abortion in Sec. 1334. Even worse, it would increase the Senate bill funding from $7 billion to $11 billion for community health centers in Sec. 10503 without any abortion funding restrictions. If this bill becomes law, this Congress will oversee the largest ever expansion of abortion on demand at taxpayer expense.

"No one who claims to be remotely pro-life can vote for this legislation. This legislation would be the greatest expansion of abortion we have ever seen in this country, all paid for and subsidized by the American taxpayer. While perhaps well intentioned the President today has taken full ownership of health care legislation that would lead to more death than the current system that he condemns."
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Tuesday, March 2, 2010

President Obama Gets Virtual Colonoscopy (CT Colonography) But Medicare Denies CTC Coverage to Seniors

/PRNewswire/ -- President Obama, in his first routine physical exam as commander in chief, received a CT colonography (CTC), commonly known as a virtual colonoscopy, to screen him for colorectal cancer. However, Obama Administration officials at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) previously denied coverage of the same exam for seniors enrolled in Medicare, cutting off access for many to an exam proven to increase compliance with nationally accepted colon cancer screening guidelines. Congress and the Administration should act now to ensure that seniors have the same access as the President to this less invasive, cutting-edge care. Patients who have delayed colorectal cancer screening should follow the President's example and look into CTC as a screening alternative.

"CT colonography is a safe and effective, frontline colorectal cancer screening tool that can attract many more people to be screened for one of the nation's leading cancer killers. The President and his doctors have unparalleled access to the latest medical and scientific information. The fact that he opted for CTC should put to rest any empty arguments against the viability of CT colonography. It's time for all patients who want a CT colonography to be covered for this lifesaving exam. Medicare needs to provide coverage now," said James H. Thrall, MD, chair of the ACR Board of Chancellors.

CT colonography employs cutting-edge x-ray technology to produce three-dimensional, fly-through images of the entire colorectal structure (colon and rectum). CTC is proven in clinical trials to be as accurate as standard colonoscopy in average risk patients. As indicated by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Technology Evaluation Center (TEC), advantages include that it is much less invasive, and does not require sedation. Patients can go back to normal daily activities immediately following the procedure.

"We are pleased that the President is in good health and that he and his doctors have embraced CT colonography's ability to accurately detect colorectal cancer. The fact that the leader of the free world has chosen to be screened with this exam is a testament that CTC works as a front line colorectal cancer screening tool. People who have delayed being screened due to cost and invasiveness of standard colonoscopy should follow the President's example and ask their doctor about CT colonography," said Judy Yee, MD, chair of the American College of Radiology Colon Cancer Committee.

Many health insurers, including CIGNA, UnitedHealthcare, and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield now cover screening and diagnostic CT colonography for their beneficiaries. However, Medicare patients are denied coverage for the exams. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed among men and women in the United States and the second leading cause of cancer death, despite having a 90 percent cure rate when detected early. This is because less than half of those 50 and older who should be screened for the disease opt to receive the screening exams currently available. Medicare's denial of coverage, in effect, creates a two-tier coverage approach to screening coverage for this deadly disease: one for those who have private insurance and lesser coverage for Medicare beneficiaries.

"The President and many in Congress have stated repeatedly that they want all Americans to have access to the same health care options that they do. Now is the time to make good on those statements by requiring the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to cover CT colonography for Medicare patients," said Dr. Thrall.

The National Cancer Institute Colorectal Cancer Progress Review Group predicts that wider use of screening could save 20,000 lives annually. CTC's minimal invasiveness and lower cost has the ability to attract far more people to be screened and ultimately save lives - particularly among minorities where screening rates have historically been low. The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society released a study demonstrating that the disparity between white and non-white Medicare enrollees receiving a colonoscopy screening increased between 1995 and 2003.

"Providing Medicare patients an effective and less invasive screening tool for colorectal cancer can help overcome the disparity in colorectal care that exists in minority and underserved communities. The President has set an example that CTC provides a viable, effective and safe alternative to optical colonoscopy. Congress needs to act require Medicare coverage for CT colonography and help minority and underserved populations gain access to this potentially lifesaving care," said Dr. Yee.

The American Cancer Society has added CT colonography to its list of recommended colorectal cancer screening exams and recommends the exam be repeated every five years. Medicare coverage of CTC would be a tremendous step forward in the battle against one of the nation's leading cancer killers.

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Monday, March 1, 2010

Two more House Dems demand Rangel step down as panel head

Two politically vulnerable Democrats on Monday called for Rep. Charles Rangel to step down as Ways and Means Committee chairman.

Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/house/84377-two-more-house-dems-demand-rangel-step-down-as-panel-head

Camp, Brady Statements on President’s 2010 Trade Agenda

Ways and Means Ranking Member Dave Camp (R-MI) and Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Kevin Brady (R-TX) today made the following statements on the President’s 2010 trade agenda:

CAMP: “While the report rightly emphasizes the importance of increasing exports to create jobs, we need a clearer path for consideration of our pending free trade agreements. These trade agreements will create thousands of new American jobs without a dime of government spending. The time for study is over. We need action now to create jobs for American workers by opening new markets.”

BRADY: “I applaud many of the key aspects of the President’s trade agenda, in particular the acknowledgment that continued trade is essential to job creation in the United States. We are not going to create these new jobs here, however, unless we create new markets, for example in the fast-growing Asia-Pacific region. The President appears to be very at ease talking about what trade agreements do but very uncomfortable talking about moving ahead with our pending agreements. We have to move past this. The situation is urgent as other countries complete trade agreements that lock out U.S. workers and exports. It is ironic that this agenda is released on the same day that the press is reporting that the EU and Colombia have finalized their FTA. The goals in this agenda will quickly turn out to be empty promises if we’re left behind as others create new rules and enforcement opportunities through new agreements that benefit them and leave our workers, farmers, and businesses in the cold.”
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